Jenny Meadows started her campaign for Rio qualification in fine style at SportCity, last Saturday.The Wigan Harrier was happy to follow the blistering early pace through one lap in a swift 58 seconds. Meadows held her form in the straight to return a neat season’s opener of 2:01.29. This season opener put Meadows, who trains regularly at the SportCity complex, was inside the Olympic entry standard. Afterwards, a delighted Meadows, expressed her gratitude for the role that the BMC races have played in her comeback from injury in the last 12 months.
Alexandra Bell in second place was rewarded for her tenacity, with a time just outside her best with 2:02.22. Next home was a Hannah England, the world 1500m silver medallist, finishing strongly in with 2:02.97. The quality continued in the B race with Irene Baldessari (Italy) setting a new two lap PB of 2:03.97 ahead of Rowena Cole.

Jamie Webb and his domestic peers stayed off the fast pace on the first lap of the men’s 800m. The Liverpool man and UK indoor champion, closed with a swift last 200m, to return 1:48.57 ahead of James Bowness. Webb pronounced himself satisfied with his effort and was delighted to win the Best of British prize to boot.
The B race was a swift affair, withU20 Daniel Rowden leading three athletes home under 1:50, including 17 year old Markhim Lonsdale (1:49.97).

Sarah McDonald is another athlete who has had a stellar year improving several seconds over the metric mile. The Birchfield Harrier was content to sit in through 800m in 2:11, with a group that contained Jessica Judd and Melissa Courtney. Judd was the first to make her move pushing on with a lap to go, followed by McDonald. The BUCS indoor champion pulled away from Judd in the last 200m, to record 4:10.81, which lopped five seconds off her previous best. Prepared to go with his more experienced peers, Sabrina Sinha was rewarded with a European Youth qualifying time of 4:18.72.

Jake Wightman ran solo for the second half of his metric mile race to record a solid 3:41.89 to open his quest for Rio selection. Wightman, who has a best of 3:35.49 from 2014, pronounced himself satisfied with his effort at a time of night when the temperature had dipped sharply. European U23 cross-country champions, Jonny Davies, showed impressive speed to record a PB of 3:43.15, with James West coming in third astride down on the Welshman.
The winner of the B races, Nick Goolab (3:45.14) and C (Michael Ferguson) and D races (Hugo Rocha (POR)) all recorded new metric mile marks

Sarah Treacy (6:27.33) emerged an impressive winner of the 2K steeplechase, after pulling clear of Anne Marie-McGlynn soon after the gun. Treacy secured a new Irish Record over the barriers and afterwards expressed her gratitude to the BMC and England athletics for giving herself and others this opportunity.

Jonathan Hopkins closed on early leader Luke Gunn to take the 2000m steeplechase honours with 5:35.53. Remarkably all but one finisher returned went home with new lifetime best figures.
It was heartening to see so many debutants from the other distances in both the races over the barriers.

European junior 1500m champion Bobby Clay can look forward to the World Juniors in July to be held in Bydgoszcz, Poland, with a 9:13.97 return over 3000m. Clay, who featured as the BMC News Spring cover star, was over 25 seconds clear of second placed….

Ben Connor (13:53.74) fought a close battle with Charlie Hulson over 5000m, the pair pulling clear in the last half mile from Adam Hickey, before the Derby man prevailed over the Sale Harrier in the home straight.
Ross Skelton (14.20.40) and Richard Allen (14.25.99) both made the journey from the South worthwhile setting new PB’s over 5000m, in winning their B and C heats in fine style.

Elinor Kirk, showed excellent spirit in taking on her 5000m race from three laps out, and was rewarded with a narrow PB of 15:41.51.
Emma Clayton (15:44.38) set new lifetime best figures and led the next three finishers to new best times. Claire Duck (15:47.75) who finished fourth took home the Best of British cheque by virtue of being the first paid up current member across the line.

The BMC would like to thank Norman Poole and his team, plus all the athletes, pacers and officials who make another great night at SportCity possible.
We look forward to seeing you all at Watford on the 28th May for the second Grand Prix.